Surakarta, May 18, 2026 — Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta welcomed a visit from Woosong University as part of an initial coordination meeting to explore potential international collaboration between the two institutions. The meeting marked an important step toward expanding opportunities for academic collaboration, international mobility programs, and double degree initiatives for UMS students.
During the meeting, Woosong University representative Rezia Usman presented an overview of the university’s international education system. She explained that Woosong University is recognized as one of the reputable universities in South Korea and has been included in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. The university is also widely known for its English Track programs, which have received recognition from the Korean government.
“International experience is one of the core values we continuously develop. Students with strong academic achievements have opportunities to participate in exchange and short programs abroad,” she explained.
Woosong University offers various international programs, including double degree programs, short exchanges, short courses, and internships integrated into academic programs. Among the most popular fields for international students are Business, Culinary Art, and Media Programs related to Hallyu or the Korean Wave.
In her presentation, Rezia Usman also explained that many staff members in Woosong’s International Office come from different countries to support the university’s internationalization efforts. According to her, the challenge of using English in Korea encouraged the university to create a more welcoming and international environment for foreign students.
In addition, the fast-paced Korean work culture known as “pali-pali” has become part of the university’s institutional spirit. Woosong University also implements a digital campus concept and provides flexibility for students to choose their majors after completing general education courses in the first year.
Regarding scholarship opportunities, Woosong University offers various tuition reduction schemes without a specific quota. Business programs provide tuition discounts ranging from 30 to 100 percent, while other study programs offer discounts between 30 and 70 percent. Scholarship eligibility is determined based on students’ GPA performance each semester. Woosong University representative Merry stated that the scholarship scheme reflects the university’s commitment to supporting international students in gaining broader access to global education. “We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for international students to grow academically and gain international experience,” she said.
English proficiency requirements generally include a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test. Although English Track programs are available for international students, Korean language proficiency remains an added advantage for graduates seeking career opportunities in South Korea.
The discussion also covered potential collaborations such as joint lectures, exchange programs, and double degree initiatives. Several Indonesian universities, including Institut Teknologi Bandung, Universitas Islam Indonesia, and BINUS University, have previously established double degree collaborations with Woosong University.
UMS representative Hepy Adityarini expressed that the meeting opened broader opportunities for collaboration between UMS and Woosong University, particularly in developing international programs for students and lecturers. “We see many potential collaborations that can be developed together with Woosong University, ranging from student exchanges and joint lectures to double degree opportunities that can provide global experiences for the UMS academic community,” she stated.
Meanwhile, another UMS representative, Riski Apriliani, raised questions regarding the support system for international students at Woosong University. In response, the Woosong team explained that they have a senior student organization that assists new international students through pre-departure programs, including departure coordination, flight adjustments, and assistance during the adaptation process in South Korea.
Through this meeting, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta hopes to create more international opportunities for students and lecturers while strengthening its global partnership network with higher education institutions around the world.
